Clean Eating
Clean eating with a fussy eater is quite the challenge. But the reward is in the success. Our diet changes have absolutely changed our lives. We feel better, we are more active and I know that what I am putting into my body and my families body is pure.
I admit, we aren’t always great at it, and we have our lazy pig out days, and then there are some things too good to give up. But over all its a mind set change and it works – I get a lot of feedback about our diet, about it being a fad diet, and you know what, even if that is the case, what’s the worst that we are doing? we are cutting out preservatives, additives and everything that is wrong with food – there are no negatives to clean eating.
I have done a lot of research into additives and the effects it has on children and adults alike the way they can effect our health, our emotions, our mental stability and it frightens me. In Australia we allow additives that are proven dangerous and are banned in most other countries including the USA and the UK – so if they don’t use it, why do we?
MOO suffers Asthma, or should I say suffered. He would get so ill no matter how spotless the house was. I remember after his 4th birthday party, he was sick for days. It was around this time that I started my investigation into the effects of additives, and the benefits of using food to heal. It was at this point that I saw additives in the group 220 were known triggers for asthma. Instantly I thought back to the party and what foods we had served, I had made most of them myself and I couldn’t link it back until I thought about the juice. Apple pop tops – the healthier drink to serve at a party I had thought. I read the label and sure enough there it was 220 – no warning – nothing to say contains asthma triggers. I threw them all in the bin that day – and cut out the 220 group there and then. Since then we have not had an attack. We have bought a shaggy dog and shamefully I admit to not always dusting as often as I could – but whenever he has something with this number group – instantly we see a shift in his behaviour and in his health. I urge you to please check your pantry and your fridge you will be amazed at how many products contain these numbers – in particular this group has been linked to asthma triggers, headaches, sinus problems and behavioural shifts.
It is widely explored that a lot of behavioural disorders diagnosed as ADD or ADHD can be linked to diet – I have experienced this with MOO and it is not just with sugar as we all know children run riot on sugar! Particular colourings or additives can and will send him into a rage, or some will send him into a daze – it is frightening to see that a simple muesli bar can switch his mind off like a switch – and we are placing these into our children’s lunch boxes – thinking it is the healthier alternative.
I know I can sound alternative sometimes but I truly believe food is medicine. We live a contemporary outer suburbs kind of life but when we are ill I always rely on foods to heal us. I use them throughout the year to prevent illness and I have my favourite for when we can’t quite out run that cold or have a bout of gastro. And if that’s not proof enough in his 5, almost 6 years MOO has been prescribed antibiotics twice – both occasions were prior to my discovery of food healing, and since then he has never fallen ill enough to warrant medications. I have noticed my body healing too – I am learning about the healing qualities in each ingredient making myself more aware of what to prescribe when I can feel an illness creeping up on me. I suppose the only time my other half hasn’t been supportive of my drive to heal us naturally is when he had an earache and I wanted to use a garlic head wrap on him … Everyone has their limits hey!
I have composed a simple shopping list of staples that I get almost every fortnight when I do the shop. Quite often I buy the same things week after week yet I am constantly coming up with new and exciting ways to use them. As a rule we try and split our daily dinners 2 nights to fish 2 nights to meat 2 nights vegetarian and 1 night vegan – in no particular order. This has drastically reduced our food budget by at least half!
Here are my staples:
Meat:
Organic Chicken (Thigh and a whole bird)
Mince (beef and pork)
Steak (grass fed)
Fish (varying kinds)
Fruit:
Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, kiwi berries, strawberries all berries!
Bananas
Pear
Apple
Oranges
Melon
Lemon
Lime
Vegetables:
Spinnach
Kale
Brocoli
Tomatoes (whole, cherry and grape)
Eggplant
Sweet potato (white and orange)
Mushrooms
Zucchini
Capsicum
Cucumber
Avocado
Onions
Beans
Asparagus
Pumpkin
Cabbage
Cupboard:
Quinoa (flakes and grains)
Linseed
Almonds
Cashews
Macadamia Nuts
Coconut
Brown Rice
Cacao
Spelt flour
Pepitas
Lentils
Chickpeas
Butter Beans
4 Bean Mix
Other:
Coconut Oil
Macadamia nut oil
Olive oil
3x dozen free range eggs
Natural greek yoghurt
Almond milk
coconut water
Garlic
Ginger
Pink salt
Dark organic chocolate
These ingredients leave your possibilities for meals endless. I always found if I tried to make a meal plan I never stuck to it! And we ended up eating out, ordering in or snacking on toast all evening!!
I hope you find this list helpful in your pursuit of a healthier, happier life!! Keep following for more great recipes to satisfy both you and your fussy eater! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and instagram too for instant updates and plenty of fresh recipes and tips !
The Diary of a Fussy Eater 